MUST HAVE REFERENCE GUIDE

Site Map or Site Search

CHURCH ACCOUNTING PACKAGE

Does a minister receive Social Security benefits once he reaches retirement age?

Our pastor of 26 years recently asked me a question that I thought was cut and dry, but in reality I don't think it is quite as cut and dry as I originally thought it to be.

He wanted to know if once he retires will he be getting a check from Social Security. He pays into it, so I would think that he does.

Since his W-2 doesn't reflect any Social Security wages or Social Security taxes withheld, how does he get credit for it?

Is that something that is reflected on his actual tax return?

His annual W4 always reflects an additional amount of withholding to be withheld that covers his SS/Medicare tax.

I file a quarterly Form 941 and deposit taxes monthly.

His annual W-2 reflects in box 2 the total amount of the actual FWT AND the additional amt (which is actually SS and Medicare taxes).

He has never received a Social Security statement of account that the SSA usually sends out annually - thus the question.

Can you enlighten me?

Comments for Does a minister receive Social Security benefits once he reaches retirement age?

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 31, 2017
 SS Benefits in retirement
by: Bill OConnell

Assuming he has paid SE tax on his form 1040 for the many years, he will be entitled to benefits, unless he filed an opt-out election earlier in life on form 4361.

He should check with SSA to get a copy of his account with them. it may be available via their website.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Minister's W-2.

If you want to DIY your payroll, I highly recommend you look at using Gusto! It is very user friendly and their support is awesome! Plus they know how to set up and maintain payrolls for churches and nonprofit organizations.

Note: I am a "partner" of Gusto, but as I have told you before ... I never recommend anything that we or our clients have not tried and love =)



Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.